Tuesday 1 May 2012 15.21 EDT
First published on Tuesday 1 May 2012 15.21 EDT

Householders and businesses across parts of England and Wales remained on alert as flood water continued to rise after the wettest April on record.

Officials in Tewkesbury, which was badly hit by floods five years ago, made sure sandbags were at the ready and the fire service set up a command centre in the town centre .

The Environment Agency warned there could be flooding in Gloucestershire and Worcestershire today.

There were two scares in Tewkesbury, once when a man was reported missing in the early hours of Tuesday morning. He was found to be safe later in the day. Police also launched a search when cries for help were heard coming from floodwater but pranksters later admitted they were to blame.

People were warned not to wade or drive into floodwater after the death of a man, namedas Jonathan Gammon, 52, of Teddington, south-west London, whose car was swept downstream at a ford on the Berkshire-Hampshire border on Monday. A school bus carrying 14 pupils had to be hauled out of floodwater at Peterchurch in Herefordshire.

By 4.30pm on Tuesday 33 flood warnings had been issued – meaning "flooding is expected, immediate action required" – and 132 flood alerts were in place in England and Wales. "The Environment Agency is continuing to keep a close watch on river levels as well as checking defences and clearing any potential blockages to reduce the risk of flooding," a spokesman said. The agency said there was a low risk of flooding in Worcestershire and Gloucestershire .

Although the rainfall in April has started to restore water levels below ground, the agency said it would take much more time and rain to undo the effects of two dry winters and bring swaths of England out of drought.

Thames Water told its 8.8m customers that a hosepipe ban will remain in place despite downpours bringing more than double the long-term average rain for the month. Richard Aylard, director of sustainability and external affairs for Thames Water, said the firm was aware of the irony that heavy rain had set in after the hosepipe ban was announced.

"But it took the two driest years since records began for us to get into this drought, and one wet month, even one as wet as April, will not be enough to get us out of it."

In Tewkesbury, where the rivers Avon and Severn meet, the rising water was being watched anxiously.

Brenda and Peter Lord were forced out of their home after the 2007 downpours. They have since taken the drastic measure of raising the entire property by a metre.

Chef Mark Browne, 32, said the ground floor of his home would be flooded if the water levels continued to rise. He said: "Last time I lived in a house on a hill, and the water completely cut us off – I was stuck there for a week. I can't see it being as bad this time. Apparently we've not yet had all the water come from Wales yet, so we'll see. I'm not filling sandbags just yet."

Simon McMillan, group commander from Gloucestershire fire and rescue service, said: "We're taking this opportunity to go out and check the condition of the bridges and some of the isolated communities. Hopefully the waters will go down and nothing will happen, but we're here in case we're faced with the worst. No properties have been flooded, but if the water doesn't stop rising, then unfortunately that'll be what happens."

Firefighters have set up a command centre in the town and have a search-and-rescue hovercraft and lifeboat ready.

Tewkesbury council said it had sandbags and supplies at the ready. A spokesman said: "At any moment the flooding could get so much worse and we would be in a terrible situation like we experienced five years ago.

"We're keeping our eye on the situation, and are very ready to act if need be," said a spokesman.

In 2007, three people died when floods hit Tewkesbury, Gloucester and Cheltenham, and up to 150,000 properties were affected.

The Met Office said Wednesdayis likely to be largely fine and warm in the south-west, with heavy rain possible elsewhere.

Mr Gammon was trapped in his car as it attempted to cross a ford on Monday morning. The car was swept downstream and became submerged by flood water, according to Hampshire police. He was recovered from the vehicle by fire and rescue crews but later pronounced dead at the scene.

Sergeant Paul Plews, from the Farnborough roads policing unit, said: "Our thoughts are with his wife and family who are understandably very distressed by what's happened. Our investigation is focused on establishing the events leading up to Mr Gammon's death and we will be preparing a file for the coroner."

A police spokeswoman said that the conditions on the road, including the impact of recent rainfall on water levels at the ford, would form part of the investigation.